Survivor

*Detective Paul Cross POV*

*Detective Paul Cross*

I hated cases like these, two lives lost and little to nothing to go on. I have been a detective for nearly 2 years now and I have seen some bad stuff but something about this case just does not sit right with me. I am the youngest to be made detective in our precinct at 25 so I feel like I must continually prove myself to the guys. I want to c***k this case open and get to the bottom of this.  

I sat at my desk swamped with open case files. The newest one was a two-car accident where the offending driver fled the scene, I flipped the file closed as Alex McIntyre my partner walked over. He has been on the job for way too long but I respect his experience and he has said on more than one occasion he respects my drive to be the best.

I shook my head, "This is gonna be a tough one" we got nothing on the car not too many witnesses and we are still waiting on the traffic cam footage and forensics to get done." "Na we have had worse cases than this kid I'm not worried we will catch a break soon you just need to be patient." 

“Also just got a call from Rhode Island hospital the girl is awake do you want to head over or wait a bit till we have more to go on?"

 I sighed; "I wish we did have more to go on, but we needed to know if she remembered anything about the accident. It might be a dead end but I wasn’t betting on it. I was going to get this sh*t-bag off our streets. 

“Alright let’s go, she may know something she may not.” i grabbed the file and followed him to our unmarked car.

The drive to the hospital was quick, I was looking over the case files while Alex drove. I held up a picture of the black SUV that was abandoned at the scene. Stolen, the plates were useless and we had to wait for forensics to go over it with a fine tooth comb. 

Next I held up a family photo, nothing out of the ordinary, still I already had my suspicions about this case. I studied the picture of a man, his wife and two kids, the older girl was the one we were going to talk to. Looking closer I recognized the father in the case. Simon Sullivan had already been on our radar because of his business dealings with The office but I was not going to show my hand just yet. I tucked the photo of the SUV, and the family photo back in the folder as we pulled into the parking garage.

 “How are we going to play this? Alex asked, “just follow my lead, maybe we will get something useful.” We signed in at the nurses’ station and headed to the room. We knocked and waited for the go ahead to enter.

The door was opened by Mr. Sullivan, he stiffened a little when we introduced ourselves. “Sir I am Detective Cross, and this is my partner Alex, is now a good time to talk?” He cleared his throat but opened the door.

“no come in Savannah just had lunch and should be up for it but please try not to upset her she is still recovering." We walked into the room and my breath caught at the sight, she was beautiful a little banged up but she smiled at us. I felt a pull towards her I couldn’t explain but now I really wanted to find the assh*le who put her in this hospital. Alex and I took a seat.

“How are you feeling? She just shrugged “okay I guess” she still sounded groggy. “I know this is a lot to take in, I was hoping we could talk to you, if your up for it.” I flipped open my notebook.

She gave a small smile but nodded her head. “I’m not sure how much help I can be but ill try.” She tried to sit up more using her arms, her father rushed over and helped her up. 

“Careful” he said then went back to his spot on the couch. I watched him making note of his injuries too. “Alright what can you tell me about that afternoon, we know it was raining but did you notice anything out of the ordinary while at the park?” 

Her brows knitted together as she thought. She bit her bottom lip thinking. I couldn't stop staring at her lips I wonder if they are as soft as they look. I pushed that thought from my mind "focus i thought you're more professional than this"

  Frowning a little she said “I’m not sure things are still coming back to me in pieces”. She stopped as her body shook from a cough. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help.” She laid back looking drained. I wanted to punch something and I glared at her father. I was his job to protect her.

  “Not a problem, we will get this guy no worries you get some rest.” I took out one of my cards and wrote my personal cell on the back. “call this number if anything comes back to you even if you think its nothing, it may be something” I handed her the card. She gave me another beautiful smile and we stood to leave.

Her father followed us to the hall, "thank you for coming please let us know if you find anything i want to know who did this to my family."

Not wanting to show my hand just yet I gave him a nod. "if you remember anything as well please let us know Mr. Sullivan. I gave him my card also.

***** Cross POV***

Back in the car I sigh, this was going to be a difficult case to c***k i could tell already and i was pretty sure I wasn't going to get anything from Mr.Sullivan.

"I have my suspicions about Sullivan" Alex stated starting the car as we head back to the precinct. When we got back I went and pulled the jacket we had on Sullivan.

He had been a package boy for The Office from the age of 19. Made a name for himself in the New England Mafia but in the years since his youngest was born he had been trying to get out. The office only retires people when they are no longer useful and Sullivan was very good at what he does. I closed the file and placed it with the others on my desks and left for home.

"Join me for a pint my friend," Alex said grabbing his jacket "sure I could use one". We headed to a local bar to relax.

The Muldowney's was a lively place with live music and great drinks, it was not very busy for once and we found a spot right at the bar. Not wanting to talk about the case I asked Alex about his family. "they are good but pestering me to retire from the force again". He took a long draw from his beer. I was just nursing mine, early day means light drinks for me.

"who would keep me straight if you leave? huh" I joked "yeah I saw how you looked at the girl in the hospital you have to stick to the case kid don't go letting your head get foggy thinking about her." I know that but i still can't get the image of her out of my head. Seeing her all banged up had me seeing red" who would do something like that." I finished my beer in one go.

 I was about to order another when a hand wrapped over my shoulder "Hiya, honey buy a girl a drink"? Ashlynn purred in my ear. My back stiffened, I turned to see my ex, she looked the same as always, Blonde hair teased up, more make-up then necessary and heels that made my back ache just looking at them. Her dress was so tight her cleavage moved with every breath she took. I don't know what i saw in her but now she just made my skin crawl.

 "hey Ashlynn how ya been?" Alex asked with a smirk.

I removed her arm from around my shoulder, "I'm good Ashlynn but we spoke about this we have been over now for about a month, don't put your hands on me" She pouted but stood away. "It's just ...you know, I miss you." Her mouth dropped into a frown. "can't we try to make it work, i thought you said you just needed a little space Paulie" 

I got angry "I never liked you calling me that! Go home Ashlynn" I turned away from her not willing to spare another moment for her. "Fine Mr. Detective, But I'm not the one that will be sorry you lost me." she hmphed and walked out of the bar.

"what a nightmare" I said and Alex just chuckled "see I told ya you need to think with your head not with what's in your pants." He finished off his drink, "we all can't have what you and Cheryl have. Tell her I said hi, have a good night ill see you tomorrow." I headed home.